New Delhi: As India and the US enhance their defence ties, 20-odd American defence behemoths will display their cutting-edge fighter jets and weaponry at India's biggest air show in Bangalore Feb 7.'There's going to be a major contingent from the US defence industry,' US ambassador to India David C. Mulford told reporters here Thursday.'There will be more people, more technology and more things on display,' the envoy said while alluding to three F-16s, two F-18s and a PC3 Orion the US defence majors will be displaying at the five-day show at the Air Force Station, Yelahanka, on the outskirts of Bangalore.The show will provide US companies an opportunity to showcase their competitive edge as they compete with Russian, Swedish and French companies for an Indian Air Force tender for 126 fighter aircraft.Official delegations from over 40 countries, as also business representatives of corporations will be attending.01/02/07 Monsters and Critics.com, UK

New Delhi: US aerospace major Lockheed Martin is aggressively pitching its F-16 fighter for an Indian Air Force - order, terming it 'the most successful international combat aircraft programme in history', even as it will display an array of aircraft and equipment at the upcoming Aero India 2007 show.The other aircraft showcased at the Feb 7-11 show at Bangalore will be the C-130J Super Hercules, the P-3 Orion maritime patrol aircraft and the MH-60R maritime-dominance helicopter.Also featured will be the Patriot PAC-3 missile defence system, the ship-mounted Littoral Combat Solution - system, and the MK-41 vertical launching system - for firing missiles at sea.'Most of these products have potential to support the growing strategic military relationship between the India and the United States,' a Lockheed Martin statement said.The company's focus, however, is clearly on the F-16 as it eyes a soon-to-be-floated tender for 126 multi role combat aircraft - to replace its ageing fleet of Russian-built MiG-21 jets.The IAF had, in 2004, sent out a Request for Information - for four jets - the F-16, the Russian MiG-29M/M2, the French Mirage 2000-5, and the Swedish JAS-39 Grippen.28/01/07 IANS/RxPG NEWS, US